Mers virus kills Filipino paramedic in UAE

DEATH benefits will be provided to the family of the Filipino paramedic who died from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“The family of the one who died will receive death benefits (amounting to P20,000 for burial expenses),” said Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) Administrator Carmelita Dimzon.

Also, Dimzon said the needs of the five sick OFWs are already being taken care of.

“At the moment, they are in isolation and they are being taken care of by hospital and employers,” she said.

Last week, reports came out that six Filipino paramedics in the UAE have been infected by the MERS coronavirus, whose effects include pneumonia and kidney failure in severe cases.

The Filipinos are working at the Al-Ain Rescue and Ambulance Section in Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, the remains of the Filipino seaman killed in Roata, Honduras last week are set to arrive in the country on Black Saturday, April 19.

Dimzon said the body of Jaycob Escobedo Gaban will arrive via United Air flight UA183 at 9:10 p.m. There will be a connecting flight to his hometown in Bicol the next day.

Gaban, a native of Sorsogon, was employed as an assistant cook onboard the Norwegian Pearl. He was shot and killed by a robber after he refused to give his iPad during a port call on the island of Roatan last April 7.

The Sorsogon native is survived by his wife, who is seven months pregnant, and one daughter.

Aside from arrival assistance, the labor official said Owwa is also prepared to provide benefits to Gaban's family.

“Owwa is ready to release the death and burial benefits due the family of Gaban, plus scholarship and livelihood grant to one of the children and the spouse, respectively,” she said.

Dimzon also said they have immediately dispatched a team from Owwa–Bicol to visit the family of the seafarer and provide them psycho-social counseling. (HDT/Sunnex)

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